You got your grades and huzzah, you’re off to one of Birmingham’s top-notch universities! Whether you’re at the University of Birmingham, Aston, or Birmingham City you’ll want to know the coolest spots and wildest hangouts for the thousands of students in Birmingham. Luckily for you lot, we have put together this little starter pack for those new to Brum! For those looking to explore a little further than the SU this fresher’s week (and boy do we think you should!), check out our guide and get familiar with the best freshers night life Birmingham has to offer. Be in the know, impress your new mates and most importantly have a cracking time!
Get your glad rags on folks because here we go!
Broad Street
Broad Street is likely to become a bit of a home away from home while you’re at uni in Birmingham. Broad Street is a mecca of party bars in Birmingham spanning one whopping and rowdy strip. Leading the way is super club Gatecrasher, a must for any student, with four huge rooms and one massive party. Mosey on down Broad Street and you’ll soon find Revolution, part of the well-known party chain, this bar is a go to for party revellers. A little further down you’ll probably hear Bliss and Walkabout before you see them. Bliss, a glitzy clubroom where the style and club classics take centre stage and Walkabout an Aussie themed party bar, no stranger to chart hits, bouncy castles and pool parties.
It's certainly not called the second city for nothing, Birmingham nightlife is something truly special.
City Centre
Birmingham City Centre isn’t all Bullring and shopping, oh no. There is a whole range of bars, pubs and clubs ready and waiting for the student massive. From quirky cocktails in tiki themed Island Bar to funky DJ nights and live music at The Sun On The Hill there’s something for everyone. The Victoria is also a hubbub of student activity with it’s cool and quirky vibes, come the weekend this pub in Birmingham makes for one wild Saturday club night. No Fresher’s guide would be complete without mentioning Snobs nightclub. One of the biggest indie and alternative clubs in Birmingham, students flock here in their hundreds every Wednesday night to get their groove on to a wee bit of Motown or belt out some Babyshambles in the main room. Just by the way of the City Centre in Summer Row, Mechu is one swanky student club where Minted Thursdays are always a glamorous sell out.
The Victoria is perfect for something a little different in Birmingham from their quirky craft beer to their deep south menu.
Digbeth
If club classics and commercial pop isn’t really your bag, the head down to Birmingham’s creative quarter, Digbeth. A hipster’s paradise, clubs and bars in Digbeth are home to some of the quirkiest club nights and biggest underground raves Brum has to offer. The Rainbow Venues hold a whole host of special events and their weekly Saturday night FACE showcases the best local talent, house and techno music across their warehouse, cellar and pub venues. Tucked under the railway arches, Spotlight bar is another trendy hangout where house, techno and street food fairs are commonplace. If you're an 'asleep all day and party at night kind' of guy or girl, The Adam and Eve host 'The After Party' until 6am every Saturday night too! These venues aren't likely to make it on to your freshers list so be sure to check them out!
Underground raves and raucous events, introducing one of the biggest party scenes in Birmingham, The Rainbow Venues.
The Arcadian
Just by the way of Birmingham City Centre, The Arcadian is a bit mellower than the likes of raucous Broad Street but they still have more than their fair share of student ready fun time party bars. Le Glam Thursdays at Indi Bar boast drinks from just £1, a chance to on your most dapper outfit and throw some shapes on their buzzing dance floor. If cocktails are your thing head to Sobar for somewhere a bit more stylish. Monthly Fervour Fridays at Arca Bar are another party night at the Arcadian where the prices are low but the style is high.
Moseley
If you consider yourself a little less run of the mill and fancy somewhere a little more unique and creative to spend those boozy student night in Birmingham then. All of a £6, 10 minute taxi ride from Birmingham city centre, Moseley is a village that boasts some of the coolest indie haunts in the city. If you're diving head first into the secret tiki bar or street food at The Prince of Wales then you're sure to totter a mere five doors down the road to The Bull's Head where live art nights, gigs and DJ sessions are relaxed regulars. But how about wedged right in between? The Fighting Cocks is popular with mid range indie-hipsters looking for craft beer and cask ales.
Look at this barman at The Prince of Wales, he will make you smashing tiki cocktails and you will love them.
Selly Oak
More than a few of you will more than likely live in Selly Oak come your second and third year. This whole area has students at the heart which means one thing, pubs, bars and well more pubs and yeah, bars. Urban Village Bar is a hot spot for pre-drinks in Birmingham as well as a cool alternative to Saturday nights in Birmingham. Being a new student you best get to know the student chain that is Scream Pubs and we can think of nowhere better to start than The Bristol Pear in Selly Oak. With pub grub quite literally as cheap as chips as well as DJ nights as well as rock bottom drinks prices, pre-drinks and mid-week sessions have never been more tempting.
So, there you have it! This guide has shown you the tip of the Birmingham nightlife iceberg, all that is left to do is dump your stuff off at halls and head out to explore Birmingham after dark.
